They mean "Dig up out of the ground" transplanting. From pots at any size is fine. Maridol should do great for you. Just remember they are not the tallest of the Papaya's to grow. Slower then "Solo",but hardy.

they grow in Houston. a friend in meyerland had one in the ground and it was very prolific

What's the best tasting papaya and that's cold hardy enough for Central Texas? I know taste is subjective but I'd still appreciate some suggestions!

Thanks! I'm going with the solo. Fruit size sounds just about right!

Liz, I have a book called Florida's Best Fruiting Plants. It states that papaya can be killed with brief temperature drops to 30 degrees. If you are going to try to grow one in Central Texas it would be best to put it in a pot and any time the temperature goes below freezing to bring inside an unheated garage. It appears to be more winter tender than satsuma's and some other "winter hardy" Tropical plants.

Thanks for the info. I think keeping it in a pot and bringing it in during the colder winter days will work. If I even get a couple seasons of fruit, I'll be happy!

The book did say that they readily sprouted from seed. If you could find a variety from Hawaii (solo) it would be a cheap way to get a plant.

Thanks again! I've been doing some reading and I think solo sunrise sounds pretty good! Glad to hear seeds will germinate and then produce fruit within a year.

Well, it says that if given a head start indoors the plants would produce in first year. I think that would mean planting within a month and protecting it until it warms up and taking outside. It also says the roots are sensitive and if planting a potted plant to make sure and not disturb the roots. I would plant it in one container and not repot it. It said that the useful life of the plant is 5 years but viral diseases greatly reduces the life span in Florida. It sounds like it will live more like a late maturing tomato plant that may live for 2 or 3 years. It sounds like it would be a fun project.

Gary, so this comes back to the original question I had. The plants I saw on sale were already ~4ft in decent size pots. Will they survive a transplant in the spring to the garden, or will they be better off in pots?

Well, it sounds to me that they will need to be in pots until spring. I would leave them in pots and just assume you would always need to bring them in during freezing temperatures. If you plant them in the garden they would grow one year and then die the next winter. Even in Houston you will get 30 degrees at least a couple of times a year.

On YouTube Jake the Vegan gardener is growing Maridol and some type he was given. The Maridol in three years is about 6'..the other looked to be close to 15' and with a tree trunk. Papaya's vary hugely. I know some people have told me Thai Red is fast and sweet. Caribbean Red also. So,I guess any type with "Red" in it's name is a good one.

He did say he liked that the Maridol didn't grow out of arms reach to prick fruit. They were larger then the Solo types..but not huge like those grown in the tropics. Check out his vid.

Andrew, I will say that I have an aloe vera plant outside in a pot. It has survived and only been put inside on only the very cold nights, such as in 2011. I have had it for 16 years. They are not suppose to survive freezing temperatures. It is on the south side of the house under a carport. If it can survive maybe the papaya can survive if given a little protection.

whether the tree will survive outdoor will depend on where you'll put the plant as Gary said.

also depends how cold it gets where you are. if you live inside the loop it's a couple degrees warmer, plus if you keep it close to the house and protected from wind you'll get a little warmer

you can also keep them outside and bring them into the garage for a couple nights if the temp dips.

They will grow in Houston. Look at Garden Webs "Tropical Plants" Forum and a post by Alexisreal of Houston. Growing Mangoes and Guavas,Plumeria and more in his condo sized yard. I dont think he brings anything inside.

Houston,45 high on Friday and 81f+ by next Wednesday. I wish!

I live in North Beaumont without any houses next to me. On cold, still morning it is 5 degrees colder on this side of Beaumont than my office on the south side of Beaumont, 8 miles away. That is driving down the highway. It will vary even more if the area is surrounded by houses. Many people plant their citrus on the south side of a building to give them more cold tolerance. Even if the building is not heated it seems to help.

I believe it was 2011 when the top of the soil froze enough you could walk on wet ground without breaking through. I have lived here 16 years and that was the only year that has happened. According to old timers, we seem to get that kind of cold weather every 20 years, enough people are leery about putting in orchards.